The HPT Board of Directors & Committees determine the direction of HPT and make the behind the scenes decisions to help continue "Building Better Trails". All meeting notices & minutes, as well as other news is available here.
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Written by Gene Roberts
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Monday, 14 June 2010 10:57 |
 A lot of activity has taken place since my last update. Following HPT’s testimony in opposition to Administrative Code NR 52 to the Assembly’s Committee on Natural Resources a meeting was arranged by Representative Spencer Black to directly address the situation on the La Crosse Bluffland Protection Project, specifically the Department of Natural Resources action to cease and reclaim the trail construction on the Mathy quarry tract of land. This meeting was the result not only of HPT’s appearance before the Assembly’s Committee but also because of extensive lobbying of our local state representatives.
On April 27, 2010 a meeting was held in the office of Representative Black. Those in attendance were Representatives Black and Huebsch, Paul Heinen, DNR Policy Initiatives Advisor, Tim Andryk, DNR legal counsel, Mary Rose Teves, Natural Resources Program manager and Craig Thompson, West Central Regional Land Leader, and Larry Kirch, City of La Crosse Director of Planning. Marvin Wanders and I represented HPT. Representative Black was the facilitator of the meeting and asked many probing questions. During the course of the meeting each group was given the opportunity to provide their organizations respective position regarding the history of the LBPP and trail development on the Mathy tract. At the conclusion of the meeting the department announced the Secretary of the DNR had scheduled an internal meeting for May 5, 2010 to discuss the Mathy tract and protection of the habitat on this property. HPT requested to be in attendance but this request was denied. It has been reported that additional meetings that included the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources were held.
On June 1, 2010...
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Written by Gene Roberts
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Tuesday, 25 May 2010 15:10 |
Members of the HPT Board of Directors Dan Luebke, Marvin Wanders, Dave Lawrence and Gene Roberts represented Human Powered Trails at the 2010 International Mountain Bike Association 2010 World Summit. This event was sponsored by the City of Augusta, Georgia, IMBA and the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association. The meeting brought mountain bike advocates, land managers, trail builders and the bike industry from Canada, Australia, and the United States together to discuss the state of off-road cycling, how to become more organized, and to attend educational forums. HPT members were given the opportunity to network with other trail organizations and clubs to discuss universal issues and solutions to problems facing the trail building and mountain biking communities.
The days were filled with meetings and seminars covering topics ranging from dealing with unauthorized trail building, building partnerships, and running a successful trail patrol. HPT attendees selected programs to attend which were felt to provide information that would assist our organization meet the challenges that lie ahead. IMBA’s Public Land Initiative, a new national campaign to improve access for mountain bicycling, protect public lands and engage the bicycling community in critical U.S. public lands issues was of particular interest to the HPT delegation.
We were able to observe firsthand and ride the well developed sustainable Forks Area Trail System (FATS), a 35 mile trail network through the Sumter National Forest, as well as a recently opened pump track in the City of Augusta. These trails were built in such fashion that it would be enjoyable for the beginning rider to the expert. Witnessing a successful trail network of this caliber raises the bar for future trail development on HPT and the surrounding area.
On a personal note I left the meeting with a renewed optimism and enthusiasm for future projects at HPT, the La Crosse, Bluffland Project area, and other trail opportunities in our region.
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Written by Dan Luebke
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Saturday, 08 May 2010 15:31 |
 Had a great summit, and we're heading home. We'll have a full recap posted soon.
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Written by Gene Roberts
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Friday, 26 March 2010 14:30 |
On March 24, 2010 Marvin Wanders, Hansi Johnson, IMBA’s Midwest Regional Director, and I gave testimony before the Wisconsin Assembly's Committee on Natural Resources addressing the proposed Administrative Code NR 52 (CR 09-77). We were given the opportunity to get our message to the legislator regarding the La Crosse situation and how it relates to cycling in Wisconsin.
I feel that the trip to Madison was another step toward achieving our goal as we keep the face of HPT and the issue of cycling in front of our state legislators and the Department of Natural Resources. It was obvious to us that your letter and emails have made a difference as several committee members commented on how they had heard from the cycling community on this issue.
After listening to other testimony, many who expressed their displeasure with this proposed Administrative Code, the consensus amongst the three of us is that this committee will ask the department to rework the code. It is important to remember that should the code be returned to the department for rework it is not a guarantee that bicycles will be granted access to Stewardship lands.
It appears that the Senate Committee on Environment has yet to decide what they intend to do with the code. Whatever the outcome we will continue to apply pressure from several angles to achieve our goal of securing access to lands purchased with Knowles-Nelson Stewardship funds.
As always we will keep you aware of our progress. An informed and engaged membership is a strong organization! YOU are HPT…….
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Written by Dan Luebke
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Wednesday, 24 March 2010 11:23 |
 Support Access for bicyclists on Stewardship
lands!
Tell the legislature to require consideration of bicycles on all Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program Funded Lands
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has proposed Administrative Code NR 52 to provide the DNR with a well defined process to exclude one of the nature-based outdoor Activities from lands purchased with Knowles-Nelson Stewardship funds. After being subject to public comment the rule has been approved by the Natural Resources Board and has been forwarded to the legislature for review. The Senate's Committee on Environment and the Assembly's Committee on Natural Resources have received this proposal under the identity of Clearinghouse Rule 09-77. Both committees have scheduled public hearings.
Please ask the legislature to include language in Chapter NR52 that requires bicycling be considered an activity allowed on Stewardship funded public land.
- Ask the legislature to acknowledge the 2005-2010 Wisconsin SCORP report that identifies bicycling as an outdoor family activity that Wisconsinites list higher than any of the existing Nature-based Outdoor Activities (NBOA).
- Instruct the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources department through policy included in NR 52, that bicycling must be given the exact equal considerations, protection and implantation with regards to Knowles-Nelson lands as any of the existing NBOA's per Chapter 23.
Comment must be submitted
ASAP!
and sent to the following Committee on Environment and the Senate Committee on Natural Resources
(see contact info below)
To assure your political leaders are aware of the important of this issue, please cc your state senator, assembly-person, DNR Secretary Matt Frank, and Governor Jim Doyle on your email.
DNR Secretary Matt Frank -
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Governor Jim Doyle -
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Click "Read More" to copy the letter and email addresses.
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uman Powered Trails, Inc. is a non-profit organization whose mission is: “To develop and maintain first class sustainable and environmentally correct, human-powered, shared use trails for the La Crosse, WI region."
